Following Jesus in a fragmented world Week 1 (1 Peter 1:1-12)

Discussion Notes Click on me for PDF for small groups Peter writes to a wide variety of people across a series of different places. He doesn’t focus on their age, class, race or background, but on that they are both chosen and exiled (scattered). In a land that is not their own, Peter wants to encourage them of their real identity and their home in Jesus. What are the words and phrases of Identity that Peter uses.  In what parts of your life do you feel chosen ? In what parts do you feel scattered ? Who are the people who mentor and encourage you in your faith ? Who do you look up to ? What tensions do you…

Following Jesus in a fragmented world : Suggested Meeting format

Meeting format Click on me to get a PDF of this Step 1 : Open by praying together. Step 2: Get someone to read the passage aloud Don’t read in a rush, take your time. Pause at the full stops. When the reading is done, sit still for a minute before the next step Step 3 Questions and Phrases If a word or phrase stood out to you when the passage was being read-share the word or phrase (but don’t explain).
If you have a question that has come up, share that question. As people share their questions get someone to note them down, but don’t answer them yet. Step 4 : Get someone to read the passage again. Step 5…

Appy Prayer

There are some helpful phone apps that are designed to prompt you for daily prayer. Three of note are Lectio365 , BiOY (Bible in one Year) and Pray as you Go Each has a daily set of readings and prayer prompts, each can read the prayer to you, each provides space for you. Check them out.

We’ve moved!

We have started meeting on Sundays 10:30 at Queenspark Primary School (222 Queenspark drive).

What’s that Smell

What’s that Smell ? Icebreaker – What kind of Smells can you remember ? Flowers, Freshly cut grass, ground coffee ? What memories go with those smells ? Read Luke 7:36-50. Simon : Simon has invited Jesus over, but done none of the things one would normally do for a guest. This is like bowling into a marae without a welcome. It’s rude. Why is simon inviting him over and bring rude do you think ? When the perfume is poured – Simon’s response is all facts and judgement.  What does he think a prophet should do ?  When Jesus tells his story about debtors, which one is Simon ? The Woman:  the woman who is a sinner, cries, uses…

Stand Up

 What do you think is a prophet ? (read Deut 8:18) Colin suggested that a prophet is someone – who speaks truth (god’s truth) to power – whose life lines up with their words. A bible dictionary described prophets as those who conveys direct and specific information from God addressing a particular situation. Do you have a better definition. Can you think of anyone that you would regard as a contemporary prophet ? If so who ? and why ? John the Baptist was prophet – Read Luke 3:2-18 We know he wore rough clothing, his disciples fasted and he ate honey and locusts. His was a harsh discipleship.  What did he say about people – (Vipers ? Trees ?)…

Getting beyond Photoshop

Read Luke 6: 27-38 aloud. “If you’re listening, here’s My message: Keep loving your enemies no matter what they do. Keep doing good to those who hate you. Keep speaking blessings on those who curse you. Keep praying for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other cheek too. If someone steals your coat, offer him your shirt too. If someone begs from you, give to him. If someone robs you of your valuables, don’t demand them back. Think of the kindness you wish others would show you; do the same for them. Listen, what’s the big deal if you love people who already love you? Even scoundrels do that much! So what if…

Sabbath in a box

Sermon Notes: Sabbath in a Box We have heard a lot about the Pharisees in our journey through Luke…And here they are again in todays passage. The Pharisees were all about keeping Judaism unpolluted- and all credit to them- they did not run off into the wilds to live as separated comunities like the Essenes but they stayed within society at large and attempted to keep the purity of the faith. And when it came to the Sabbath, they had it sorted. There had been years and years perfecting their model. God had said “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,” and, “On it you shall not do any work”. And they had run with that. The commandment from…

How not to be that guy (or gal) but this guy( or gal)

How not to be that’s guy( petty) but this guy( How do you feel about change ? What words come to mind ? Read the lyrics to these two songs written by Bob Dylan – which one was written when he was young ? and which when he was old ? How can you tell ? Come gather ’round, people Wherever you roam And admit that the waters Around you have grown And accept it that soon You’ll be drenched to the bone If your time to you is worth savin’ And you better start swimmin’ Or you’ll sink like a stone For the times they are a-changin   Standing on the gallows with 
my head in a noose Any…